The dismissal of former Arsenal midfielder and Cameroon international Alex Song may have been a turning point in last night's 4-0 loss to Croatia, but the European side always looked like threatening the Indomitable Lions.

In truth, the winning margin could have been even greater due to the freedom Real Madrid midfielder Luka Modric was afforded in central areas, the workmanlike performance of Ivan Perisic who was a constant creative outlet and the dynamic and attack-minded approach from Ivica Olic.